In 2011, “Survivor: South Pacific” premiered, the 23rd season of the show. It was notable as the first time a player was voted out three times in a single season — we’re looking at you, Ozzy Lusth. However, for contestants Whitney Duncan and Keith Tollefson, it became one of the most important experiences of their lives. The pair recently discussed the realities of becoming a couple on “Survivor,” and what they wish the cameras had captured.
The ‘Magical’ Kiss That The Cameras Didn’t Capture
For Duncan, she had a good feeling about Tollefson as soon as she met him. She told PEOPLE that she “thought he was good-looking and had a feeling he’d be my alliance.” Tollefson recalled thinking that the blonde Duncan “was probably from California.” He “was shocked” when he heard her thick Tennesseean accent.
Just as she predicted, the two became Savaii tribemates. In the end, Tollefson was voted out on Day 25, and Duncan was voted out on Day 27. The two began to get closer around day three, and that became a problem for the new couple.
Tollefson described the “worst part” about beginning their relationship on the show as “people assuming it’s just a ‘showmance’ and not real.” Duncan also described the struggle to keep their relationship under wraps, noting that ‘becoming a couple on ‘Survivor’ can put a target on our back.”
Still, it wasn’t all bad. “We have the coolest story ever,” Duncan added.
15 years on, they’re glad to have a recorded history of them falling in love. They hope to share it with their kids someday. “They are so young we haven’t yet, but I’m excited to watch our season together in a few years,” Tollefson said.
Even so, there’s one event that the “Survivor” crew didn’t get, which they’re both still a little disappointed about.
“I wished they would’ve gotten our first kiss on camera,” Duncan admitted. “Sunset in Samoa — it was magical.”
Keith Tollefson and Whitney Duncan Admit That They Weren’t Looking for Love
Shows like “Temptation Island,” “Married at First Sight,” and the “Bachelor” franchise show how common it has become for people to look for love on reality TV. But the couple, who married in 2014, weren’t looking for love when they landed in Samoa. Duncan called their budding “Survivor” relationship “unexpected,” telling PEOPLE that “I personally never would’ve looked for love on reality TV.”
Duncan considers Tollefson her “soulmate,” and they’re both grateful for the time they spent on the island, allowing them to really get to know each other.
“I think we learned a lot about each other in the game and knew we had what it takes to make it in real life,” Tollefson said.
